Happy 44th Big Man

When I was baptized following my 17th birthday, my mum and dad presented me with a verse from the bible - a motto to live by. That verse was Romans 1:16 that says:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

There are times when it is hard to talk to my dad. There are times when I feel like the things he tells me I should do are like a burden to me. But in the end I know that these things make me a better person and I am thankful for the kind of dad that I have.

I am thankful for the never give up spirit he has endowed on me.

I am thankful for the constant ways he opens and expands my sphere of comfort.

I am thankful for the way he always has improvement on his mind.

And most of all I am thankful for the way he has brought me up the past 18 and a half years.

I love the dad that I have for who he is - loving, spontaneous and always improving. 

Last year, my dad took me skydiving as a graduation present. He told me that he wanted something that I wouldn't forget... and it's definitely something that I won't. I remember so vividly putting on a jumpsuit and backpack, being excited and seeing my dad's face glance nervously at his tandem instructor who looked like he was falling asleep. I remember getting onto the plane and giving my dad a hi five, losing the sense of comfort as we left ground and made our way up to the skies, and I remember the sheer terror as those in front of us leaped off the plane and we were the only two left. The knowing look and wink as I sat at the sill of the plane door before I fell and my terror turned into elation as I fell through the sky and accepted that I would either die in that moment or live to tell the tale. 

I remember reaching the ground and running straight to where my dad landed 20 seconds later, overjoyed at the fact that we had done something so incredible (and not died). 

I also remember joking about driving the opposite way to Newcastle and then my dad spontaneously deciding to turn left instead of right and decide drive to Newcastle which ended up in us having one of the best times as a family that we have had in a while. 

I remember thinking that my dad knew how to give presents. 

Today, the 25th of June, is his birthday. And I never know what to give him as a present. But today I want to share some wise words from the bible with him. 

The chapter 1 Corinthians 13 is often quoted at weddings because it is about love. I hope that my dad, as a loving father, strives and continues to be each and every thing that the bible says love is. 

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

My dad is patient, my dad is kind. He does not envy, he does not boast, he is not proud. 

He does not dishonor others, he is not self-seeking, he is not easily angered, he keeps no record of wrongs. 

My dad does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

He always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

1 Corinthians 13:1-7

A Shim Certified Guide to Sleeping and Spending (a) day/s at an Airport

ETA 3 hours.

I cannot wait to get back to Bali! For some reason I decided that I would spend a day in Singapore, except not really in Singapore, in an international legal limbo area known as an airport. And now, here's a guide to sleeping and surviving at an airport when you're on a budget.

1) Find a camping spot before bed time.

My bed for the night was a soft chair in the 24 hour cinema at Changi Airport. I found it at 2 am while I was struggling to keep my eyes open. It's probably a good idea to assess the area and your vulnerability to the environment too. As a result of my foolishness, I now have a horrid crick in my neck and back from hugging my backpack as I slept.

I did however find a "rest area" with nap chairs that gave me a good 2 hours sleep early in the morning.

2) Watch out for air conditioning.

Changi Airport is like the Antarctica of South East Asia. Air con is on 24/7 and, in stark contrast with the outside world, it is set to be super cold all the time. My sleep was interrupted by my body's need to move around and find some kind of warmth in that room. It would be a good idea to bring a jumper and long pants next time.

Butterfly!

3) Enjoy free airport things.

Free airport massage
Free airport internet
Free airport movies
Free airport butterfly gardens
Free airport playstations

Enough said?

4) Explore to find a cheap eatery.

There are some seriously overpriced places in airports (and the food isn't great duh).'

5) Do some exercise

Your body is not made to sit around all day. So every hour or so you should pick up your computer and whatever and go for a long walk to your next sitting-down-place.

6) Bring a friend!

Being alone is the hardest thing in the world :(
I miss opening my mouth to my friends in Bali, my friends in Australia, my family in Oz and just having someone to talk to!

It's only been 21 hours.

2 and a half hours left till I take off. Then back to Bali for a little longer, and having my awesome sister visit me then flying back to Singapore and HOPEFULLY to Europe.

Some interesting people in an interesting place.... I miss them!

Life, Death and Dogs

Last Friday I saw death before my very eyes. I saw the eyes, heard the groans of agony, and the final breath before limpness overtook the body. 

I was standing by the side of the road in Nyuh Kuning - a suburb of Ubud - on the way to a friend's house. There were two dogs in the vicinity: one a mix breed black monster of a dog, and another smaller white yappy dog running around the road. It was a normal happy day.

Dogs in Bali are generally seen as a bit of a nuisance and there are dozens of strays that line the streets of the island. As such, most of them have developed a skill for dodging traffic, but tame pet dogs generally have a less "street-wise" sense.

As I walked down the street, the white dog ran between my legs, tongue lolling out of mouth and ran back across the road. At the same time I heard two sharp beeps on the horn of a car and an angry shout from the driver. There was no sound of screeching brakes - Just a thud and the helpless yelping of the dog. 

The car did not stop, nor did it slow down. Instead the driver chose to continue along the road without a second glance at the life that he had just taken. 

That day I saw a dog dying. That day I saw - in real life - the transition from a perfectly healthy animal to nothing more than a carcass. I was shocked - both at what I had just seen, and at the lack of conscience from the driver of the van.

The dog ran around coughing up blood before falling on it's side with fading ragged breath. Its owners came out and surrounded the animal. I looked at the body that had been completely alive a few minutes ago. 

I remember thinking about how quickly life could be taken away, and how it's not just the case for animals, but for people too. Life is such a precious gift given to us by our creator, and one to be used well and wisely.  And yet, death is also a part of life that has to be accepted by everyone.

Too many times, people waste the gift that they're given. 

It's not just in Bali that lives are lost so suddenly. We all know that Australia has too many motor vehicle related deaths - almost 1300 last year. This is a call to drive safer and be more wary on our roads. 

Oftentimes it's the harshest and most confronting experiences that leave the deepest impressions. There is no substitute for the life that we are given, it is something that we should always be thankful for and not take for granted.